School marks a milestone

Students of Naqalemare District School greet the new academic year with the opening of their new toilet block. Picture: Supplied

About 100 students from Naqalemare District School in the province of Navosa this week witnessed the opening of new restrooms.

The school, since its establishment in 1940, marked a milestone with the opening of the eight-stall toilet block funded by UNICEF through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program.

Principal Rosova Laqai was grateful to UNICEF for the funding of the new toilet block as the students started a new academic year.

"The students are excited, every now and then they are running to the toilets to see it," Mr Laqai said.

"For us this is a historical moment, we can't remember the last time we used flush toilets in the school. We are so grateful to UNICEF for their assistance, they have assisted us so much. The parents and school management did not fundraise for the project".

Mr Laqai said the school had resorted to using pit toilets after the first attempt to have flush toilets was ruined because of water problems in the area.

Reverend Fifita Kaufuti of Toga Methodist Circuit blessed the $20,000 toilet block before declaring it open for the students of Year 1 to Year 8.

Mr Laqai said since the school was always affected by the water problems, UNICEF had taken care of that by providing a water tank. The toilet block for the girls and boys took three months to construct and commission.

Naqalemare District School is attended by the children of Koroua, Toga, Vunaqoru, Sautabu, Naveyago, Rarabasaga, Tawatawadi and Koronisagana.